Starting today, July 1, the city of Sanibel prohibits residents from applying fertilizers under certain conditions through the end of September. Experts say algae blooms are stimulated by excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus.
The city says City Ordinance 07-003 bans fertilizers containing nitrogen and phosphorous during the rainy season.
Fertilizers cannot be applied within 25 feet of a body of water. Fertilizers cannot be applied on surfaces that do not allow fluids to pass through like sidewalks, roads, and driveways.
Residents should not apply fertilizers in catch basins or stormwater conveyance systems
When fertilizer is applied incorrectly, the city of Sanibel said stormwater runoff with nutrients can enter bodies of water and feed algae resulting in a bloom.
After Hurricane Ian, inland bodies of water inland saw a sharp, substantial increase in nutrient concentrations.
Now, scientists are seeing high levels of chlorophyll, which is an indirect measure of algae, in a large number of water bodies.
Fertilizer bans for other areas like Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, Bonita Springs and Estero began on June 1.
Unincorporated Collier County does not ban by dates. It focuses on other rules: Do not fertilize if the soil is wet or before a rainstorm, do not apply a fertilizer that contains phosphorus without a soil test showing a deficiency and do not apply fertilizer within 10 feet of a body of water or wetland.